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Monthly Archives: February 2014

If you know me or have been reading my blog, this was a no brainer. The Top Television Show that Deserves to be Watched Twice is definitely “The Twilight Zone!” Actually I recommend watching your favorite episodes every couple of years, over and over again. You won’t get sick of Rod Serling’s ingenious show, I know I haven’t yet and I have watched some of them well over 20 times each.

“The Twilight Zone” is a show that brings attention to the trails and tribulations of its time. Rod Serling was a veteran who fought in World War II, was injured three times and saw more than 50% of his platoon annihilated. This had a huge impact on the hero, making him want to speak out against these horrible actions taken against humanity around the world. He wanted to bring the public’s attention to our human weaknesses like greed, hate, envy, narcissism, power, loneliness… just to name a few. He knew that the only way to cure this world and make it better is through knowledge and teaching. He wanted to show the world that everything is not as it seems and it doesn’t have to stay the way it is. It’s o.k. to dream for a better situation and dream of a better world. He realized the situation the world is in is not easily changed and there are much bigger powers out there that want to stop us from changing it. But he also knew that striving for a better world was not that crazy and knew it wasn’t bad to dream of better days even if he was labeled as a Liberal. Rod Serling knew that for a dream to come true you have to start dreaming it. If you dream it, then it could become a possibility in the future. If you don’t dream it, then is it’s dead before it could ever get started.

That’s the purpose of “The Twilight Zone,” a man’s lack of satisfaction with the world around him. That’s why Rod Serling created it and that is why we love it today. All the lessons and twists from these stories still prove to be true to this day. He didn’t make the stories to entertain us, he made the stories to get his point across and that is why this series will never die.

If you haven’t watched “The Twilight Zone” then what are you waiting for? The box set is on sale now and they also have the first season on Netflix. This show will not only entertain you, teach you and shock you, some of these episodes will send chills right up your spine. The film quality, writing and acting is all phenomenal.

Let’s face it, the world we live in today has not really improved substantially since the days of Rod Serling as a whole. I feel with all the new technology, we are becoming more introverted and thinking about ourselves way too much. I see more people stealing and screwing over others to get ahead. I see a public that is so into themselves and their own lives that they don’t care what is going on around them. I feel the powers are gaining more control world wide as we focus our concerns on ourselves and our families. That’s why I feel we need those great classic stories once again to open our eyes to what we have become.

Now, by all means, I love this world but it doesn’t mean I am satisfied with the way it’s been evolving. I have a lot to say about the human condition and how we turn a blind eye to torture, murder and war. I actually had a boss tell me that “War is population control!” This was a 26 year old man who said this to me. When people are thinking this way and actually believing it, we need to speak up and change it. For this type of defeatism ideology is exactly what the powers want us to believe because they know nothing will change if we feel we can’t change it.

The only way to make this world better is for the people to come together and change it. That’s why I want to continue the classic style of story telling that we loved so much from “The Twilight Zone.” That is why I created a show called “A Seat on a Train.” I know the only way I can contribute to the world right now is to write stories about it, film them and hope it helps people realize that we have the power to change, as a whole, together. That is the only way this world will change and it’s happening all around us today. The people are revolting against their governments and are demanding equality. With Facebook and the internet, we are already spreading knowledge and we are basically in each others’ back yards. There will come a time when we will have to come together as a people because this world is going to get a lot smaller in the future.

So, do me a favor and watch “The Twilight Zone” and if you like it become a fan of my tv series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatontrain.com. If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you will for sure want to book “A Seat on a Train!”

I can not stress enough, if you haven’t seen this series, you are missing out big time! This is the best drama ever made for television period!! You want to challenge me on this one, watch the whole series and you tell me a series that is better written, better filmed, better acted and better directed. If you do, then I will eat my own words. But I can honestly believe there is no chance in hell you are going to come up with a better all around series than “Breaking Bad.”

I watched this series all the way through four times! Yes, I said it, four times! I want to watch it again but am going to wait a couple of years before I start getting sick of the show. You want “Scar Face” made for television, you have it here. The concept is completely original. There is nothing out there on television like it. The only series that come close are “The Wire” and “Weeds.” As good as these shows are, they don’t compare to “Breaking Bad.”

Now, let me warn you, the first season is a little slow, but they are setting you up for the rest of the series. They are getting rid of all the set up early, so they can barrel through with the action. It was hard for me to get through the first season, but after I found out where it was going in the second season, I was hooked. Just stick with the show. It is so worth it.

The acting is brilliant. Brian Cranston is amazing and his character evolves throughout the whole series. He basically plays a High School chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He is only given a few months to live. Well, knowing he has nothing to leave his wife, physically challenged son and unborn child, he decides to go into the meth trade. With his chemistry genius he is able to make the purest Meth on the market and the series just builds from there.

The actor who plays Jessie Pinkman is brilliant. He basically plays your typical punk kid that no adult likes. You have the scumbag Lawyer Saul with his own set of ethics, the wife who is extremely ethical, the physically challenged son (the actor actually has cerebral palsy in real life,) the DEA Agent brother in law Asec Schrader and the kleptomaniac sister, among a lot of other characters and villains. The characters in this show are so deep and have so many different levels. Every single actor on this show is amazing and had their work cut out for them. Especially Brian Cranston. The way he plays his character and slowly changes or evolves throughout the six season show is mind boggling! He deserves every Emmy he received and deserves more, way more!

If you are not convinced to watch it yet, then let me tell you this. Sir Anthony Hopkins loved the acting in the show so much that he wrote a letter to the cast and Brian Cranston, expressing how impressed he was with the show! Sir Anthony Hopkins folks! A Knight and an Academy Award winning actor! What a compliment and if that doesn’t make you want to watch the show, then I don’t know what to tell you.

“Breaking Bad” does it all. You get to see this nerdy, meek teacher turn into a huge, powerful drug dealer. Everything you can imagine is excellent in this show. Even the musical montages are genius! There isn’t really a thing I can complain about this show except for the slow start. The whole series is so tight, when it ends, it leaves no question unanswered.

Now, if you’re looking for a good feel, upbeat show, then don’t watch this one. This series is dark, I mean really dark! You are not going to bed all happy go lucky after watching this show. And when I say they leave no stone unturned, I mean nothing unanswered. They even explain why Walter White is so lucky through his drug dealing endeavors.

I am completely envious of the writers on this show. I would gladly kiss any of their feet! I actually worked in a restaurant in Manhattan Beach where the writer from “Modern Family” would frequent. Well, when they were airing the first episode of the final season, this guy came in and ordered a ton of food to go. He told me he was having a “Breaking Bad” party. I asked him if this show will meet my very high expectations. He said he was confident the show would exceed them. Now that’s a lot coming from a very successful writer in the industry and he couldn’t have been more right. The finale will blow you away and will leave all questions answered. Believe me, it will not disappoint like the ending to “Lost” or the finale of “Seinfeld.” They deliver on this show right from the beginning to the end and the writers don’t dupe you with a crappy, loophole ending, like everyone was dead right from the beginning.

Now, I can’t leave without talking about the villains! They are absolutely chilling! From Tuco to Gus to the old man in the wheel chair, these villains were perfectly cast and are not like your typical villains in your typical drug film. Especially Gus. Gus was my favorite. Just think Hannibal Lecture when you think of Gus. Not because he eats human, but because of his calm, sociopathic ways.

Then you have the main character of the show. The character that makes you want to watch the show. The character that you want to experience in some way because it looks so fantastic. The character that holds the whole show together because without this friend or foe in this series, you have no show. This character doesn’t have your typical voice but boy does it speak throughout. I’m talking about the Blue Meth! This is the single element that makes you want to keep on watching the show. As much as you may be against drugs, you can’t help but like this Blue Meth. It’s pristine, beautiful and 99% pure! And boy do the writers on this show give it a voice. It had so much of a voice that I’m surprised it didn’t win a best actor Emmy itself.

The times you really get hear the Blue Meth speak is through the musical montages. These montages are so genius that they should be shown as videos on MTV! A lot of artists don’t like the use of musical montages and I agree, they can be tacky but the way they do it on “Breaking Bad” is nothing short of my blowing. They do one musical montage to the song “Blue Crystal Persuassion” that will have you dancing in your seat! I guarantee you will be rewinding it to watch it again and if your like me, you’re going to start the series right over again, ready for another journey into the genius world of “Breaking Bad!”

Also, don’t forget to watch my little television series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com Now, it’s no “Breaking Bad,” but it has a great message and if you like “The Twilight Zone” you are sure going to want to take “A Seat on a Train!”

This show is nothing short of brilliant! Anytime I am flicking through the channels and I stumble upon this show, I stop and watch it, unless it’s season 8. “That 70’s Show” has to be my favorite comedy sitcom out there. It’s intelligent, has many messages and the characters are hilarious.

From Fez… to Kelso… over to Kitty… then back to Eric, there is not a character in this sitcom that is not interesting and funny as hell. The writers on this show created a masterpiece and this masterpiece would stay pretty much perfect until season 8.

That brings me to my next point. They should have stopped the show at season 7. For these writers to really think this show would survive the loss of both Eric and Kelso, they had to be out of their minds. They should have wrapped it up when these characters left because season 8 just plain sucked. The guy they brought in to replace Eric was a horrible actor and not funny at all. I actually felt the urge to jump into the television and show this idiot what comic timing is. You can’t fake it and that became apparently clear with this new actor. Fez got too old and heavy. Jackie was pointless without Kelso or Eric to fight with. Hyde was not enough of a character to lead the whole series, so he suffered from the collapse also. But other than that, this show is a must see. Just cut it off at the end of season 7. Trust me, it will ruin the whole series for you. I wish I never watched the last season.

Right from the first episode, you will be laughing your ass off. The filming, the style and even the music is excellent! The show opens up to a regular kid hanging with his friends in his parents basement in the 70’s. And it doesn’t change much from there. That’s it folks. That’s all it is about. Sounds pretty simple and boy is it.

Right from the beginning they grab you with this cute relationship between Donna and Eric. You know they like each other but don’t know when they will hook up. Well, it doesn’t take them long and what a ride they take you on. You adore this couple while laughing at the Jackie and Kelso duo. Right from the start the writing is spectacular, reminding you of when you met your first girlfriend and eventually fell in love. “That 70’s Show” makes you feel like a kid again, immersed in this typical 70’s family’s household. You have the starch Republican Father, Red. Then you have the crazy, adorable, loving Mother, Kitty. Eric is the typical awkward teenage boy with a sister who he can’t stand and is basically a whore. You have the wacky exchange student Fez, who is nothing short of brilliant, the actor and character combined. The liberal, hippie friend Hyde, who pretty much cares about nothing. The moron friend Kelso and his young, annoying girlfriend Jackie, who wouldn’t be in the group if it wasn’t for the relationship with Kelso.

“That 70’s Show” keeps you laughing with its off beat humor and totally original filming. This show takes a lot of chances, like having the gang obviously smoking pot in the basement. They get away with it by not stating it and doing really interesting camera closeups of each character around the table. So not only is the writing, acting and relationships amazing but the camera work is something to be seen also! When Eric is high and the parents are lecturing him, they have the camera wobble from his point of view, obviously implying he is stoned. What makes it even more hilarious is the parents are clueless. So they are just grilling him and wondering why he isn’t reacting, getting even more angry.

But let me warn you, when Donna and Eric break up, you are going to be heart broken. I could barely muster the energy to watch the first episode of the next season, I was so shook up by it. I felt just as bad as Eric did. This fantastic show takes you on an emotional ride and just when everyone has dated each other and you feel the show has nowhere else to go, Kitty goes through menopause and the show pops again, getting even funnier than it previously was! “That 70’s Show” is one of those shows that reinvented itself over and over again, getting even better each time, until the last season at least. It also tackled issues like unemployment, legalization of marajuana and women’s rights without being over preachy or partisan on the issue. The creators and cast just show you the regular life of a teenager in the 70’s, growing up and the rest just falls into place.

So, if you haven’t seen this show, get on Netflix now because the whole series is available. You can watch it from beginning to end. I actually got to experience my 15 year old cousin starting from the beginning and watching it till the end. She loved the show so much, I went out and got her the Cheap Trick CD that was signed by the whole cast during Season 1. She loved it and I just loved that I had introduced yet another future fan to this amazing show. Hopefully you all will follow. You’re missing out if you don’t.

Also, don’t forget to check out my show “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com If you love “The Twilight zOne” then you are sure going to love “A Seat on a Train!”

This show is absolutely brilliant! I warn you it is very crass! But that’s just to weed out all the anal retentive conservatives! We don’t need them watching our show!

When I first tuned into this show, I was like, what the hell is this? Right from the first episode they start attacking issues we have in this country in a very unusual way. They show how some small town Philadelphia residents react to issues like gay rights, abortion, under age drinking, cancer, the disabled, welfare, drug addiction… just to name a few. And let me tell you, they don’t tackle these issues in the responsible, open minded way. No, they show how a bunch of ignorant, prejudice, small town folk try to make money and prosper at the cost of everyone else. Honestly, you don’t even feel the show is trying to make a point, but boy does it.

“It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia” probably has the most interesting characters in television history, especially Charlie. The acting is superb and the writing is absolutely hilarious. From the moment I started watching the first episode on Netflix, I knew I was in love with this show. Then they went ahead and casted Danny Devito. That was when this show went from brilliant to gut wrenching, comedy genius. Danny Devito plays a character that fits him perfectly. Just like Betty White did a few years ago, Danny Devito has done with this show. He has completely reinvented his career and put himself back into television history. It’s almost fitting the man end his career where he started it, on the living room tube.

Now certain people are going to be turned off right when they click this show on. But you have to remember, there is a point and they make their point in the most ludicrous, funny way. That’s why it’s hard to find the point of each episode, but there is. If you are still offended after that, then go play with your china collection or something because the stick up your behind is far too big for this show.

So, read up on all the issues we face in this country and see what the Philadelphians thinks about them. You are sure to get a different perspective that will make you think and is sure to crack you up.

I know what you’re thinking… he just put that show at #6! Well, it’s the British version I am talking about this time and it’s the original concept of this brilliant show which would be revamped as an American version. This is where it started folks, in July 2001. “The Office” would air for the first time on BBC and would become one of the most talked about television shows in network history. This show is nothing short of genius and ranks higher than the American version for two main reasons. The British version was the first and this show knew when to quit, leaving us wanting more.

If you haven’t seen the American version, I highly recommend starting with the English version first. At first, I wouldn’t watch the American version at all because I loved the British version so much. I felt they were remaking it and would do it no justice. Well, when I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong and I couldn’t be more wrong about this topic. The American version would go on to be absolutely brilliant and original. The only thing the American and British version have in common is the concept. The characters are totally different and it’s a completely different humor all together. The English version is a much more subtle humor, where the American version is more in your face. Regardless, both shows are phenomenal and I have watched both versions more than once all the way through.

Now “The Office” (British version) is a must see. It is only two seasons long and it gets a lot more serious and heart breaking at the end. Unlike Michael Scott of the American version, David Brent is a hopeless boss who just shows his uselessness more and more as we get into the series. You love him but he isn’t an Idiot Savant like Michael Scott, who basically doesn’t know what he is doing but seems to stumble upon success through the process. No, David Brent is hopeless, useless and not well liked by anyone. Everything he does is for his own pleasure and image and when put in the corner, he always chooses himself over his employees. So, instead of loving this character like Michael Scott, you end up pitying David Brent. You feel more and more uncomfortable as you watch this boss lose control and eventually implode.

Now, that doesn’t mean this show isn’t hilarious, because it is nothing short of that. You will be holding your gut in laughter. But right when they have you they tug on those heart strings. And boy do you feel pity for this man. You almost feel embarrassed yourself watching him, clinching your teeth with the characters on screen.

Then the way they tie it all together at the end will make you want to go right back to the beginning and start it all over again. The ending is totally unpredictable and leaves you hugging your pillow in joy. They basically leave you at the end of season 2 upset and disturbed, but then they do a two episode follow up which ties everything back together and leaves you feeling like you have experienced a masterpiece on tv.

I cannot recommend both versions more. If you don’t see these two shows, you are missing out and you are missing out big. If you are one of those snobs like I was and only would watch the British version out of loyalty, then you are making a big mistake. Ricky Gervais has a hand in the American version also and he doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t seen either version, start with the British version, it’s a great appetizer to an amazing cluster of hours of pure funny, heart warming entertainment. Both of these shows will take you on an amazing adventure, ending with you wanting to start it all over again.

Also, come see my tv series I wrote and directed called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com Hey, Ricky Gervais had to start somewhere, so lets see where this can take my career. If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you are sure going to want to book a ticket for “A Seat on a Train!”

I’m sure the ladies are happy I picked this show. I think it goes without saying that this is one of the best sitcoms ever! Boy did it make a lot of careers through its 9 season run. The only reason it scored so low is because they ran it way too long. Once the actor Steve Carell left, they should have stuck a fork in it, even though the next season wasn’t that bad. But it certainly wasn’t excellent. I think people were just surprised that it was half descent without Michael Scott.

That’s what I love about “Seinfeld.” They quit while they were ahead. Larry David realized he didn’t have much more left in him and cancelled the show himself. This is very rare in American television and I really admire Larry David for picking art over money.

But other than that, this show is pure genius. The crazy antics of Michael Scott are so funny and enjoyable to watch. Anyone who has ever worked in an office can relate to this show. “The Office” blends strange characters, that would never have been seen with each other otherwise, and sticks them in a corporate office run by a complete maniac. I think we all have worked in a situation like this one at some point in our lives. If you haven’t, then you are lucky and are probably not going to get this show.

“The Office” is a perfect example of the average work place. You have all kinds of different people who have to interact with each other against their own will to accomplish one task, make money for the company. We all have gone through it and will probably go through it until the day we retire. I don’t care how perfect your job is, there is always at least one person you don’t get along with. Or maybe you are that one person that doesn’t get along with anyone. Either or, it’s a common circumstance that perpetually repeats itself everyday. All “The Office” did is blend all these crazy type of characters and have them work under a Boss who appears completely hopeless but soon finding out he is a business genius, all by mistake.

Then to top it off, you have a some great interoffice romances. Now, I’m not that much of a romantic comedy fan but the relationship between Pam and Jim was nothing short of enthralling. You get to see these two people, who are obviously in love with each other, miss every opportunity to actually get together. As an audience, it is so frustrating and the romance keeps you watching every episode.

Then you have the love affair between Dwight and Angela. Once again these two are perfect for each other, but just can’t seem to stay together. They are both horrible, wretched human beings, who you can’t stand at the beginning. But when they get together, you get to see the soft side of both of them. Soon you find yourself loving both of them, regardless of their short comings.

That’s what makes “The Office” so brilliant. It shows all the imperfections that people have but shows they are human beings also. Michael Scott is nothing short of an idiot. He’s racist, sexist and completely ignorant to what is really going on around him. But, you know what, you love him because he is human. You love him because he tries his hardest to fit in. You love him because he strives to do what’s right but just never makes the appropriate decisions.

You want everyday life with everyday people in completely hilarious situations, then “The Office” is the perfect show for you. I have personally watched it from beginning to end two times. The writing is complete genius and the acting isn’t far behind that. You will get tears in your eyes when Michael Scott leaves because you know from that point on, it will never be the same. “The Office” was a show that ran a little too long but when it’s all over, you find yourself wanting to start from the beginning again, hoping to ignore the fact it is no longer on the air.

Also take a few minutes and check out my television series “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com If you love “The Twilight Zone” then you are sure to love “A Seat on a Train!”

Yes folks, Larry David has struck again!!! This show would make his and so many others’ careers. “Seinfeld” has gone down as one of the best television shows of all time and boy was it a hit right from the start!

Now, I’m sure a lot of you are sick and tired of hearing about “Seinfeld.” If you grew up in the 90’s like myself, I can understand why. This show was huge! Bigger than any show I have ever experienced. Everyone was talking about it and a good percentage of the nation was tuning in every week, eager to see what amount of nothing the crew was up to.

Then after the much talked about season finale, which disappointed most fans, the show went into syndication. Every time you turned on the television, you would hear about “Seinfeld” re-runs playing on this station or that one. And still they continued to boast how great the show was and how it’s the best show ever made. Well, I don’t know about you folks, I mean, I like to reminisce, but no one would let this show die and I quickly got tired of hearing about it. This television phenomenon would continue to run for years after the show cancelled and is still running today. The public just likes to watch “Seinfeld” over and over, again and again.

Now, no matter how sick and tired of the show I am, I still can’t deny that “Seinfeld” is pure genius. That is why “Seinfeld” is on my list. Personally, I like “Curb Your Enthusiam” much more, but I have watched quite a few “Seinfeld” re-runs throughout my life. I actually went through a little “Seinfeld” phase, where I would watch re-runs every night. So, I figured I had to put it on this list because there was a day when I absolutely loved the show! A show about nothing with some of the most interesting characters I have ever witnessed, my favorite being Newman.

Larry David showed his genius by taking a comic’s personality on stage and building a show around him. Let me tell you this, I have seen Jerry Seinfeld on stage and he is not funny at all. What made him famous was Larry David, who took his on stage delivery and made pure art out of it in the form of a show. Everyone knows how Seinfeld delivers a joke but most can’t repeat one single joke the man has written. That shows you that the television sitcom was what made Seinfeld famous, not his comedy.

But never less, you can’t deny this show’s talent and success. I still will stop and watch an episode here and there, if the time permits. Each episode is hilarious and is basically about nothing. Audiences’ can relate to the everyday, outrageous situations because the characters are just average, everyday schmoes who live in the Big Apple. Even though I haven’t watched the whole series from beginning to end, I highly recommend this show if you have never seen it. You will be quickly looking for another episode to watch. If you like it or not, “Seinfeld” will be aired on tv for years to come and will always be a show that I admire. If you want to see an episode, just turn on the television. I’m sure it will be syndicated on a few stations.

Also, come help someone who is trying to break his way into the television market by checking out my tv show I created called “A Seat on a Train” at http://www.aseatonatrain.com If you love “The Twilight Zone” then come take “A Seat on a Train.”

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”A Seat on a Train” series description

After a year of festivals and awards, "Out of Place," the 1st episode of "A Seat on a Train," released on Halloween 2013!
If you love "The Twilight Zone" then come take "A Seat on a Train" at www.aseatonatrain.com for free.

"I AM"- are the two most powerful words in the dictionary because the ending determines your destiny....so join me in my fight against PD to make sure that everyone who suffers from this chronic progressive degenerative disease can develop the courage to shout to the wind- I AM Fierce and Courageous ....